Follow Us

More

Listen to the Star Trek: Discovery Theme Song

Star Trek: Discovery is just days away from launching the next evolution of the legendary science fiction franchise - and we're getting our first taste of its spin on the iconic Star Trek theme song.

The first Star Trek television series since Enterprise was cancelled in 2005, Discovery is a prequel series, taking place ten years before the events of the original 1960s Star Trek TV show. Discovery follows Commander Michael Burnham (The Walking Dead's Sonequa Martin-Green), a Starfleet officer who was raised on Vulcan by Sarek, Spock's father. Plot details have been scarce, but it involves an important moment in Starfleet's history that includes a confrontation with the Klingons.

A huge part of Star Trek has always been its music and we're getting our first taste of what Discovery will sound like now. In a behind the scenes video posted to the official Star Trek YouTube account, we see series composer Jeff Russo lead a 60 piece orchestra in a performance of the series' opening theme. Check out the video above, for more.

The new theme begins by incorporating Alexander Courage's iconic theme from the original series, before transitioning into a darker, more anxious piece. Thematically, this is very on brand from what we know about Discovery so far; it's a series that is seemingly attempting to take Star Trek in a slightly darker, more serialized direction, while also leaning on established characters like Sarek and Harry Mudd to provide some familiarity and fan service.

Star Trek has been blessed with amazing composers for virtually every iteration of the franchise. Following Courage's work on the original series, the legendary Jerry Goldsmith worked on five Star Trek films and provided the stirring themes for both Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Voyager. Michael Giacchino, who has scored everything from Pixar films to the Planet of the Apes reboot trilogy, was behind the sound of the J.J. Abrams Star Trek reboot films, brilliantly marrying the sonic sensibilities of modern action/adventure movies with some of the most memorable cues from Star Trek's past.

Star Trek: Discovery has a tall task ahead of it. The movie franchise is currently in a state of limbo following the financial disappointment of Star Trek Beyond - and while Discovery's success could give rise to more Star Trek TV spinoffs down the line, the franchise has to get this one right first. The series' design aesthetics and behind the scenes issues have had longtime fans anxious for awhile, but they can at least take solace in the fact that Discovery is going to sound like Star Trek.